Kathryn Olmsted studies the cultural and political history of the United States, with a focus on topics such as government secrecy, espionage, and conspiracy theories. She has published several notable books, including 'Challenging Secret Government', which examines investigations into the CIA and FBI post-Watergate, and 'Red Spy Queen', a biography of Elizabeth Bentley. Her works highlight the complex relationships between real government actions and public perception, particularly in the context of American democracy and historical events like World War II. Olmsted has explored the media's role during the 1930s and 1940s in her recent publication 'Newspaper Axis: Six Press Barons Enabled Hitler'. She has taught various history courses, from the impact of the Great Depression to the political anxiety during the Cold War. Besides her teaching and research roles, she has served as interim chair of the Gender, Sexuality, Women's Studies department and has held leadership positions within the history department.
University of California, Davis • Davis, CA
Professor of history, specializing in American cultural and political history.
Department of Gender, Sexuality, Women's Studies • Davis, CA
Served as interim chair overseeing departmental functions and initiatives.
Department of History • Davis, CA
Led the history department, managing faculty and academic programs.
University of California, Davis • Davis, CA
Taught various undergraduate and graduate courses in history.
University of California, Davis • Davis, CA
Entered the department as a faculty member focusing on American history.
University of California, Davis • Davis, CA
Provided undergraduate instruction in history courses.